perley



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

o. B. PERLBY. STEAM STEERING APPARATUS.A

No. 570,680. Patented Nov. 3, 1896.

l FiguZ YH: Norms versus so. Puorournm WASHINGTON. wie4 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHAUNCY B. PERLEY, OF PORT HURON, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO THE .IENKS SHIP BUILDING COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

STEAM STEERING APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 570,680, dated November 3, 1896.

Application led J une 12 1896. Serial No. 595,310. (No model-i T 0 all whom, zit 71mg/ concern:

Be it known that I, CHAUNCY B. PERLEY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Port Huron, in the county of St. Clair and State ot' Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Steam Steering Apparatus; and I do declare the followingto be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the figures of reference marked thereon,which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to steam steering apparatus, and has for its object the improvement of the reversing-valve mechanism common to such devices.

It is also an object of my invention to provide a reversing-valve which will operate free from the defect known as wire-drawing steam served by the valve to the engines.

My invention consists essentially of two contiguous but independent reversing slidevalves of different superficial area, and in the novel construction of the means for actuating them.

Each constituent element of my invention is described in detail and its office, together with the mode of operation of the whole, fully explained hereinafter.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numbers are used to designate the same parts throughout the several views,

Figure 1 represents a side view of my invena vertical sectional view of the complete calngrooved sprocket-wheel, taken upon the line B B, as shown in the first igure. Fig. 5 represents a front view of the cam grooved sprocket-wheel, showing an end view of the bell-crank lever with its supporting-strap and a section of the worm-wheel shaft upon the line O O, as indicated inthe irst iigure. Fig. 6 represents a top view of the auxiliary sprocket-wheel, showing its extended' hub, the helical slot formed through the extension and partly around it, and the retainingnut employed to hold the sprocket-wheels upon the worm-wheel shaft. Figs. 4, 5, and 6 are drawn upon a slightly larger scale than that selected for the remaining views, in order to present the smaller parts more clearly.

Considering Fig. 2, numeral 1 designates the bed-plate, 2 2 the suitably-supported cylinders ofthe twin engines having the regular steam-ports 3 3 and 4 4., and what would ordif erred to below.

6 6 mark the pistons, 7 T the piston-rods, S 8 the sliding cross-head blocks, each provided with a channeled block 9, adapted to be reciprocated within a transverse orifice 10, which usually extends through the cross-head blocks. (See also Fig. 1'.)l The cross-heads travel within guides borne by engine-frames ll 11 of common construction.

Numeral 12 designates the longer of the two valve-operating levers. It is connected by pivot 13 to channeled block 9, working within the cross-head of the right-hand engine. It possesses a fulcrum 14 upon the bed-plate, and is pivotally connected by rod 15 with valve-stem 16 and valve 17, which forms a part of engine. (Shown upon the left of Fig. 2.) .1

18 marks the mechanismv employed to balance valve 17 and maybe of any chosen pattern.

Number 19 designates the second and shorter of the two levers shown in'Fig. 2. Similarly with the longer lever, it ispivoted to channeled block 9, working vithinthe cross-head of the left-hand engine. .It possesses a fulcrum 2O upon the bed-plateand narily be exhaust-ports 5 5, to be again reis'connected by rod 21 with valve-stem 22 and slide-valve 23 of engine upon the right of Fig. l.

24 marks the mechanism employed to balance valve 23.

It is clearly within the scope of my invention to arrange the various parts with the view of utilizing levers of equal length, and it is likewise apparent that the customary eccentric valve-gear could replace the levers and their connections. Owing, however, to the necessity for compactness of construction and to the size and position of the drivingshaft and worm, the lever-operated slidevalves are found to be the more convenient.

Numbers 25 and 26 designate, respectively, the pitman-rods of the left and right hand engines; 27 28, the wrist-pins; 29 30, the crankeplates, and 3l-the driving-shaft, upon which is fixed the worm 32.

33 34 mark the driving-shaft bearings supported upon the bed-plate.

Upon standards 35 36 (see Fig. l) will be found the bearings 37 38 for the worm-wheel shaft 39, which shaft will be again referred to in this description. f

Number 40 designates the worm-wheel fixed upon shaft 39, and constructed and arranged to engage the worm 32.

4l marks the drum upon which the rudderchains are to be wound.

In Fig. l appears also the standard 42, designed to support bearing 43, wherein rotates shaft 44. At one end of shaft 44 is fixed the pilot-wheel 45, and at the remaining end the sprocket-wheel 46 is attached. A sprocketchain 47 transmits the rotative movement of the pilot-wheel to the reversing-valve gear.

lVith the exception of the channeled sliding blocks adapted to be reciprocated within the transverse orifices of the cross-heads, the parts thus far described and numbered are of known construction and operation.

Sprocket-chain 47 joins sprocket-wheel 46 with a second wheel 48, which possesses a sprocket periphery 49 and an eccentric or cam groove 50. The wheel 48 fits the shaft 39 and may be rotated thereupon.

51 marks a curved block fashioned to fit and to travel the eccentric-groove 50. The curved block is provided with a transverse or fice 52 with expanding mouths and a longitudinal orifice 53. A pin 54 is held revoluble within the longitudinal orifice of block 5l, and the pin is pierced transversely by an orifice which accommodates one leg 55 of a bellcrank lever. Both orifice and leg are ordinarily cylindrical, the latter fitting movably within the former.

56 marks the second leg of the bell-crank lever, and is constructed to be slightlyflexible and to operate in a degree as a straight spring, as more fully set out hereinafter. The bellcrank lever has a pivotal orifice through which may be passed the pivot-bolt 57. Bolt 57 fills the additional office of joining the ends of the strap or clamp 58 which encircles shaft 30 and supports the bell-crank lever upon bolt 57 A set-screw 59, acting through the strap 58, fixes its position upon the shaft.

Number 60 designates a cylindrical bore, as my invention is usually constructed, extending from the inner end of shaft 39 axially toward its outer extremity, and a longitudinal slot 6l is cut from the surface of the shaft to the bore. Ablock 62 fits bore 60 movably, and is provided with a centrally -located threaded orifice for engagement with one valve-stem of the reversing-valve. The block 62 has also a transverse recess 63, usually arranged vertically, and suitable orifices in which a pin 64 is held revoluble across the transverse recess. The spring-leg 56 of the bell-crank lever already mentioned has in its outer end a recess 65 and the revoluble pin 64 is cut away upon both sides near its middle in order that it may be causedto engage the recess 65.

66 marks a second or auxiliary sprocketwheel revoluble upon worm-wheel shaft 39, and it possesses a projection 67, attached by a bolt 68 to a similar projection from the wheel 48, already described. The two sprocket -wheels therefore rotate together when one is actuated, and either may be chained to the pilot-wheel sprocket, as desired.

Number 69 designates an extension of the hub of sprocket-wheel 66, and through the extension there is formed a helical cam-slot 70, extending but part way around it. (See also Fig. 6.) A nut 7l engages the threaded end of shaft 39 and serves to retain the sprocketwheels in position. upon the shaft and against the bearing 38, Fig. l.

72 designates a second block movably fitting the bore 60 and placed between block 62 and the opening of the bore. Block 72 is provided with a central orifice interiorly threaded for engagement with a hollow valve-stem leading to one of the divisional slide-valves of the reversing device. Attached to block 72, or formed integral therewith and projecting from it, is a smaller block or lug 73, fashioned to engage and to travel the helical slot 70. In engagement with threaded orifice of block 62 is a solid valve-stem 74, and surrounding the solid stem is a hollow stem 75, 'having one end in engagement with the orifice of block 72. The outer stem, while movable upon the inner to a limited extent, fits the latter closely enough to render their meeting area steam-tight. The entrance of the outer stem into the reversing-valve steam-chest is through a stuffing-box of ordinary shape.

The reversing slide-valves consist of two similar members placed side by side, one of which, 76, (see Figs. l and 3,) has somewhat the greater superficial area presented to the pressure of steam within the chest, which acts in a valve of this character to hold the slide to its seat. To the slide-valve 76 the solid stem 74 is attached.

77 marks the smaller of the two members IOO IIO

vlo

of the reversing slide-valve, 'and it is attached to thehollow stem 7 5. A

78 designates the reversing-valve .steamchest supplied with steam bypipe 7 9. (Shown in Fig. l.) In closed in casin g 8O are two ports or channels for conducting steam to the engines.

8l marks the forward steam-port shown' in Fig. l, and leads from steam-chest 78 to the ports 5 5, which would under ordinary .circumstances of engine construction form .the exhaust-ports. The rear port 82 admits steam to the engine steam-chests in the regular manner. It will be noticed that steam is taken by the engines alternately from outside and inside valves 17 and 23. Number 83 designates the exhaust-port ofthe reversing-valve.

In Fig. l it will be observed that solid stem 74 passes through a smooth orifice in divisional slide-valve 7 6, with which it is held in revoluble connection by bearing-collars 84 85, retained in position by split pins 86 87, inserted through the stem. Thus while reciprocating the valve the stem is at liberty to be rotated by means of its attachment to block 62.

The operation .ofmy invention may be described as follows: -The working of the engines is believed to be suiciently set out in the drawings, taken in connection with the foregoing explanation. Starting with the various parts in the positions shown in Figs. l and 2, and the engines at rest, let the pilotwheel be turned to rotate the top of wheel 48 from the observer. As both sprocket-wheels, being bolted together, move as one, blocks 62 'n will be moved toward the mouth of bore 60. Were the valve 7 6 and elements operating it employed alone the evil eect of wiredrawing the steam on its passage to the engines would result. W'hen steam is admitted back of this class of valves, it renders their operation difficult by pressing them closely to their seats. By employingtwo valve members differing in superficial area, it will be understood that the smaller valve, being under less pressure,will be the more easily actuated. Valve 77 is the smaller in my invention, and the helical slot 7 O is formed to move lug 73, block 72, hollow stem 5, and valve along its seat with uniform speed from the start. As one result, therefore, the open port always relieves the pressure upon the larger valve 76 at the outset. The bell-.crank when operated, through intervening attachments, by eccentric-groove 50, moves block 62, stem 74, and valve 76 at first rapidly, then at slower uniform speed. That is to say, as the movement begins, valve 76 is delayed slightly by the excess of exterior steam-pressure, and the spring-leg 56 of the bell-crank lever bends to a certain extent before the valve starts and reacts to hasten its movement when just begun. This construction enables me to avoid, as far as practicable, passing steam to the engines through exceedingly narrow openings at the beginning `.of operationswhich would result in .a .considenabledoss .-ofeffective pressure. x

VAssuming; both slide-valves' t7.7 to be advanced and to uncover the .pont S2, .and vEby the same movement opening port .8l into .the exhaust-port 83, -the lef-thandengine will take steam from its own steam-chest, into which port 82 leads, behind its piston, veX- haustingthe steam .or `fair before the piston by way of ports 4 .5 81 '83 to .condenser Lor atmosphere. The engines .are :thus started forward and continue working -as longas .the supply of .steam is .available in .theordinary manner. (See Figs. 1 and 2;)

Assumingbothsl-ide-valves .76 .7,7 to be withdrawn and to uncover .the port 8l, and by the same movement .opening port 82 into eX- haust-port 83, the left-handengine will take steam through port 5 into which port -81 is led, below .slide-valve 1.7 "by way of port y4 before the piston, exhausting steam vbehind the piston through port3 into the steam-.chest andthence by way of ports82 .83 .to condenser.` The engines are thus rstarted .back-ward and continue working as before until the supply of steam ceases.

Referring to the movement .of the :engines first assumed above, it will be observed that worm wheel and shaft :39 arecausedto revolve tops from the observer, while .a .contrary :action takes place in consequence .of the second assumed movementof parts. After being turned to open .either port, whereby .the

IOO

IIO

to and parallel with the center line of the shaft.

I am aware that twin engines, Worm and wheel gearing, vand reversing-valve mechanisms are in use, and Ido not claimthose features, nor do I limit myself to :the precise form, proportions, and arrangement of parts Shown herein.

Vhat Iclaim, and desire to protect by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

lgln a steam steering apparatus, the combination of a suitably-supported worm-wheel shaft, a wheel held revolubleupon said wormwheel shaft, said wheel having an eccentric or cam groove,a pilot-wheel, connections whereby the conditions of rest or motion of said pilotwheel may be imposedV upon said grooved wheel, a block fashioned to travel said eccentric groove, a bell-crank lever having a fulcrugn attached to said shaft and adapted to berevolved therewith, devices pivotally joining said block and bell-crank lever, a reversing-valve, pivotal and revoluble connections between said bell-crank lever and reversingvalve, steam-engines arranged to rotate'said worm-wheel shaft, steam and exhaust ports governed by said reversing-valve, said steamports arranged to serve steam to said engines causing them to rotate said worm-wheel shaft in a direction similar to that imposed upon said grooved wheel by said pilot-wheel, substantially as described.

2. In a steam steering apparatus, the combination of a suitably-supported worm-wheel shaft, a wheel held revoluble upon said shaft, said wheel having an extended hub, the said extension provided with a helical slot, a pilotwheel, connections whereby the conditions of rest or motion of said pilot-wheel may be imposed upon said slotted wheel, a block having a lug fashioned to travel said helical slot, means for guiding said block, a reversingvalve, a valve-stem connecting said block and said reversing-valve, steam-engines arranged to rotate said worm-wheel shaft, steam and exhaust ports governed by said reversingvalve, said steam-ports arranged to serve steam to said engines causing them to rotate said worm-wheel shaft in a direction similar to that imposed upon said slotted wheel by said pilot-wheel, substantially as described.

3. In a steam steering apparatus, the combination of a suitably-supported worm-wheel shaft, a wheel revoluble upon said shaft, said wheel having an eccentric or cam groove, a pilot-wheel, connections whereby the conditions of rest or motion of said pilot-wheel may be imposed upon said grooved wheel, a block fashioned to travel said eccentric groove, a bell-crank lever having a fulcrum attached to said shaft and adapted to be revolved therewith, devices pivotally joining said block and bell-crank lever, a second or auxiliary wheel revoluble upon said wormwheel shaft and having an extended hub, the said extension provided with a helical slot,

'the said grooved wheel` and said auxiliary slotted wheel being attached to each other and arranged to be revolved together, a block having a lug fashioned to travel said helical slot, means for guiding said block, a reversing-valve consisting of two independent slidevalves of different superiicial area, pivotal and revoluble connections between said bellcrank lever and the greater of said reversing slide-valves, a valve-stem joining the lesser of said reversing slide-valves and the block cooperating With said helical slot, steam-engines arranged to rotate said worm-wheel shaft, steam and exhaust ports governed by said reversing-valve, said steam-ports arranged to serve steam to said engines causing them to rotate said worm-wheel shaft in a direction similar to .that imposed upon said grooved wheel by said pilot-wheel,and means for retaining said grooved and slotted wheels upon said shaft, substantially as described.

4, In a steam steering apparatus, the combination of a suitably-supported worm-wheel shaft having a bore extending axially from one end and a longitudinal slot, a wheel revoluble upon said shaft and provided with an eccentric or cam groove, a pilot-wheel, connections whereby the conditions of rest or motion of said pilot-wheel may be imposed upon said grooved wheel, a block fashioned to travel said eccentric groove, a bell-crank lever having a fulcrum fixed upon said shaft and adapted to revolve therewith, devices for pivotally joining said block and bell-crank lever, said lever -having one leg possessing elasticity and constructed to enter said bore through the slot in said shaft, an auxiliary wheel revoluble upon said worm-wheel shaft and having an extended hub provided with a helical slot, said grooved and slotted wheels being attached to each other and arranged to revolve together, means for retaining said attached wheels upon said shaft, a reversingvalve consisting of two independent slidevalves of different superficial area, a block movably fitting said'bore and pivotally attached to the elastic leg of said lever, a block movably fitting said bore and provided with a lug fashioned to travel said helical slot, a solid valve-stem forming a revoluble connection between the first-mentioned block in said bore and the greater of said reversing slide- IOO 

